The bass line of “Parklife” is known as the "Devil’s Interval"

It's used a lot in metal (unsurprisingly) and was made illegal by the church in the Middle Ages. Heavy!

1 / 15

2

2 / 15

'Parklife' was originally named 'Soft Porn'

'Parklife' was originally named 'Soft Porn'

Dan Dennison/Getty Images

Other alternatives included Magic Arrows and Sport. The band also wanted an image of Buckingham Palace on the cover. Pretty far from the vicious greyhound cover that won out.

2 / 15

3

3 / 15

Damon Albarn wanted Blur to become the "quintessential English band of the '90s"

Damon Albarn wanted Blur to become the "quintessential English band of the '90s"

Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images

Before Parklife came out , Damon Albarn told NME, “When our third album comes out, our position as the quintessential English band of the '90s will be assured.” No ego there!

3 / 15

4

4 / 15

An early version of “To The End” featured Elastica frontwoman Justine Frischmann

An early version of “To The End” featured Elastica frontwoman Justine Frischmann

Getty Images, 2

The final version of the track features Stereolab’s Laetitia Sadier instead. Frischmann and Albarn were also dating at the time.

4 / 15

5

5 / 15

The cover for the “Girls & Boys” single was taken from a Durex packet

The cover for the “Girls & Boys” single was taken from a Durex packet

Yeah, a condom wrapper... not much to add here.

5 / 15

6

6 / 15

Bassist Alex James blames 'Parklife' for his debauchery

Bassist Alex James blames 'Parklife' for his debauchery

Mick Hutson/Redferns

In his autobiography, “A Bit Of A Blur” the musician wrote, “As Parklife gathered more and more momentum I slipped anchor and blew adrift on the shallow sea of a permanent backstage party. There was always one more place to go and I leaped into London’s deep and dark night.” Sometimes fame isn't all it's cracked up to be.

6 / 15

7

7 / 15

Blur wasn't the band's original name

Blur wasn't the band's original name

Tim Roney/Getty Images

Once called Seymour, the band decided between Whirlpool, Sensitize and the Shining Path.

7 / 15

8

8 / 15

“Magic America” was inspired by an Italian porn channel

“Magic America” was inspired by an Italian porn channel

With lyrics like, "Took a cab to the shopping malls / Bought and ate until he could do neither anymore / Then found love on channel 44," their thoughts on the American dream are pretty clear.

8 / 15

9

9 / 15

Albarn's parents lived next door to John Lennon

Albarn's parents lived next door to John Lennon

Ann Limongello

It's true! In the early '60s the couple moved to London and rented a flat in Emperor's Gate, right next door to the late Beatle.

9 / 15

10

10 / 15

Banksy did the cover art for 'Think Tank'

Banksy did the cover art for 'Think Tank'

Naturally the original was worth a lot of money. It sold for $125,985 at auction in 2007!

10 / 15

11

11 / 15

In 1996, guitarist Graham Coxon didn't show up for a lip-synced Italian TV performance...

In 1996, guitarist Graham Coxon didn't show up for a lip-synced Italian TV performance...

Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

...so he was replaced by a cardboard cut-out.

11 / 15

12

12 / 15

“The Universal” was originally written as a ska song

“The Universal” was originally written as a ska song

Don't get those skanking shoes out just yet! Rumor has it the version exists, but has yet to surface.

12 / 15

13

13 / 15

Thom Yorke called Blur "bastards"

Thom Yorke called Blur "bastards"

Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

At a radio show in 2003 the Radiohead frontman announced that he wished he had written “Girls & Boys” and called Blur “bastards” for doing so... all in good fun, of course.

13 / 15

14

14 / 15

'13' wasn't their first choice for that album's name

'13' wasn't their first choice for that album's name

Legend has it the album was almost called When You're Walking Backwards To Hell No-One Can See You, Only God.

14 / 15

15

15 / 15

The band wrote “Bang” in 15 minutes

The band wrote “Bang” in 15 minutes

Or less than that, if you take their word for it. Not bad for a third single!